As the dog days of summer subside, a southern veterinarian’s favorite season arrives: fall. No longer is my waiting room packed with pets suffering from heatstroke, stomach obstructions (think corn cobs and watermelon rinds) and bite wounds. Instead, it’s swarming with patients plagued with seasonal allergies. Droves of itchy, scratchy and often smelly dogs seek me out for relief.
We and our pets are allergic to the same fall culprits; the pollen, mold and dust that we inhale. But the similarities end there. Humans with allergies sneeze a lot, get the sniffles, and have watery eyes. Our pets, on the other hand, suffer with itchy skin that, left untreated, can become severely infected.
Because we equate allergies with spring and summer, many pet parents have no idea why their dog is scratching this time of year. So…they start self-diagnosing, first by changing their pet’s food and when that doesn’t work, switching laundry soap or their pet’s bedding. Unfortunately, neither is likely the problem. In fact, only 5 to 15 percent of pets suffer from food allergies, and contact allergies to detergent or fabric are rarely to blame.
Here are two effective solutions to try on your itchy pet before scheduling an appointment with your vet:
USE A SOOTHING SHAMPOO DESIGNED FOR ALLERGIC PETS
Bathing an itchy pet with a medicated shampoo is the cornerstone of treatment. I reach for Splash PLUS Shampoo, developed by veterinary dermatologists to bring quick relief to pets with itchy, red, foul-smelling and infected skin. I recommend using it three times a week and then reducing use to once a week after the itching and odor is under control. When using a medicated shampoo, it’s key to leave the lather on for 5-10 minutes so the active ingredients can do their job on the skin. The shampoo is available at many veterinary hospitals and on Amazon.
USE FLEA PREVENTATIVE YEAR ROUND
Flea saliva is the TOP allergen in dogs and cats. The bite of just ONE flea can cause an intense allergic reaction. By running a fine-tooth flea comb through your pet’s fur, you can find curls of black flea “dirt” (or excrement) or even the fleas themselves to confirm the problem. Since finding one tiny flea can be difficult, it’s better to actively treat fleas even if you don’t see evidence of them.
Pets living in Florida and all southern states should receive veterinary recommended flea preventative year round since there is seldom a hard freeze to kill the adult fleas outdoors. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions as some medications work for a few hours and others for several weeks.
By combining regular bathing with a medicated shampoo and proper flea control, most pets stop itching in less than a week. If you try these treatments on your pet and don’t see any results in a few days, seek help from your veterinarian.
